Nail Art Tutorial: "Metallic" Nails

I may be boring at most times but it doesn't mean my nail polish has to be on the boring side. I've had my nails rested after a bad crack! Since I cut the rest of my nails short, short nails doesn't have to be plain and simple, I can do even wilder nail art with shorter nails as it doesn't look too overwhelming on my small hands! Yes people, my hands are small and my fingers are short! :D

Here's the final "Metallic" Nails I've created! I want to thank my blog reader Angela for the Skin Food Nail Vita polish shade in BL503! This nail art tutorial is for you and your sister-in-law Jenny! :)

Wild thing....
you make my heart sing! *head bangs*

Step 1:

Apply your choice of base coat, apply 2 coats of metallic polish, I am using The Skin Food's Nail Vita. Let dry.

Step 2:

Using L.A. Colors Art Deco metallic red polish, create different angles on different nails. Your choice of designs, angles whatever! Think about Geometry! Difference though, Geometry has to be perfect, in nail art? You can be as imperfect as you can be!

Step 3:

Using LA Colors Art Deco gold polish, thinly apply the edgnes of the metallic red to create a nice pop!

Step 4:

Using a dotting tool, toothpick or whatever round tip, in my case, I'm using Prettynails' Nail Art Pen in white, create dots on your desired location.

Do something different for your thumb!
I added something dainty, a simple flower will do :)

Step 5:

Making sure the dots are dry, top your lovely nail art with your choice of top coat.

Wild metallic nail art on short nails makes a whole new difference to the looks of your nails! I enjoy creating simple nail art for longer nails and a 'wilder' and more 'outrageous' nail art designs or colors for shorter nails. I call it, my sense of balance :)

Enjoy your humpy Wednesday!
In just the blink of an eye, weekend will be here! :)
Keep smilin'
Stay Happy!

Askmewhats Reviews: Jessie Glova 28pcs Neutral Palette

Happy day everyone!

Let me tell you something, when Coastal Scents came out with their wonderful 28pcs Nikki (ahem Neutral) palette, I told myself I wanted one! International shipping has always been a nuisance to me so I never really got myself into ordering one. I want my eyeshadows pressed...not cracked after shipment!

It was heaven scent when these palettes are becoming reachable to our local market! With several distributors coming up with similar palette, what other excuses can I think of to steer away from MY palette? :P

I totally believe in match made in heaven! Introducing... the Jessie Glova Palette, MY palette!

Pretty imprint of the brand name

Jessie Glova 28pcs Neutral Palette says ---

Kimberly, our dear beauty blogger friend, and a Makeup Artist Jessie R. Glova, came up with their own line of cosmetics and brushes.

The Jessie Glova 28pcs Neutral Palette are similar to the Coastal Scents 28pcs Neutral Palette. They are imported and guaranteed of good quality.

Ingredients

Askmewhats says ---

Pros

• inexpensive
• great to take along especially if you're starting up on makeup classes
• great for first time makeup users, wonderful to practice on different shades which doesn't make you go broke
• it doesn't hurt that the palette has it's own brand name
• most shades are pigmented and shades are all pretty
• with this palette, you can create different types of neutral looks without a problem!
• for local buyers: Quick shipping, doesn't have to wait long for international shipments
• a lot of good matte shadows, I find it quite hard to look for great matte e/s!
• shipping: great! Shipped fast and the product was packed really well
  

Cons

• not all shades are pigmented enough, some are powdery (but who cares? 90% of the shades are wonderful)

Overall

I don't own the 28pcs Coastal Scents Neutral Palette so I cannot do a comparison, but I've seen the CS 28pcs neutral palettes from makeup artist friends, I would say this exactly the same distributor from the Coastal Scents one. The same or not, I wouldn't even worry about it as I find that eventhough I own a lot of eyeshadows, having this as part of my makeup kit is awesome! I don't have to worry about not having enough neutral shades!

People have been emailing me asking me where to start in purchasing eyeshadows. I would say, given the restrictions of funds, this is the best way to invest in good quality eyeshadows to practice, a lot of great shades wearable daily, that doesn't break the bank!

I am giving this 2 thumbs and 2 toes up! :P

Tips

• just like any e/s, use a good base to make the e/s last longer and more vibrant
• for shadows with a bit of glitters, apply using patting motion first to lessen fallouts
• be creative! Mix and match different shades! I've tried it and it works beautifully!
  

Will I repurchase?

Yes, why not?

Where to purchase and how much?

Php800.00 (approx $16.30) + shipping
Click here, here and here to purchase

Seriously...
swatches galore coming up!
All swatches done dry, without a base
Click photos to enlarge



Row A



Row B



Row C



Row D



This was the Jessie Glova look I've created

Neutrals doesn't always have to be boring!
With great shades to choose from, you can be a queen of neutral!
Keep smilin'
Stay happy!
Stay neutral-icious!

Askmewhats Version: Majestic Smokey Eyes

Happy Monday everyone!!! A lot of you are home, sleeping in, resting!!! It's a Philippine Holiday today and I'm going to be at work! :( So I'm creating a look for a reader who requested for this way back!

Dear Nikki,

I've been wanting to do a smokey look for myself but I am scared of making my eyes look too dark and dramatic! I wanted a smokey look that doesn't look too scary. HELP!
A.

A., this look is dedicated for you and to the rest of the population, like me, who aren't comfortable with smokey eyes as well. SHOCKER right? Well people who knew me knows that I'm into neutral and natural look rather than dramatic. But it doesn't hurt to shock the hell out of the people you meet right? Once in awhile..once in awhile :)

Here's my Majestic Smokey Eyes
inspired by Majestic mineral e/s from Joppa

AMW Diagram

Step 1:

Apply a dark base, in my case MAC's Shadestick in Sharkskin on the crease area going a bit beyond. Doesn't have to be perfect and blend it well with a taklon brush or your fingers.

Using a flat shader brush, pat on Matte Black E/S just above the Sharkskin base. I am using Jessie Glova's 28pcs neutral palette with my MAC's 242 brush. Patting motion.

Step 2:

Flipping the same brush on the other side, pat on Joppa's Majestic mineral e/s (or any loose e/s that looks like yellowish gold dust) on the crease area only. Again, using patting motion!

Step 3:

Using a blending brush, brush on a matte neutral color a bit lighter than your skin tone on the browbone area gently blending on the inner corner of the eyes.

Using a big fluffy brush, start to gently blend the harsh lines from the black e/s going beyond the crease area. Do this gently so you won't make your e/s fall out. Blend until there's no more harsh line!

Step 4:

Tightline with Urban Decay's 24/7 eye pencil in Zero (black), include upper and lower lashline.

Step 5:

Apply Urban Decay's 24/7 eye pencil in Yeyo (white) on the inner sides of the eyes to create a nice pop.

Step 6:

Using any liner brush or pencil brush, smudge the black eyeliner with a matte e/s to "set" the liner.

Do not forget to fill in your brows with your favorite eyebrow pencil, curl your lashes and apply 2 coats of mascara. I am using Clinique's High Impact Mascara

Here's a dark smokey eyes that has
a nice pop of sunshine! :)

And what's on the rest of my face?



For the face:

Ellana Intensive Mineral Foundation in French Vanilla Latte
using EDM's Flat Top Brush



For the cheeks:

Maybelline Clear Smooth Minerals Blush in Gentle Pink
using Charm Blush Brush from the Charm Travel Case

For the lips:

Kiehl's Lip Blam #1
NYX Round Lipstick in Tea Rose

Smile your week away!

Thanks for the request, I do take some time due to cropping and taking of photos! But I am seriously loving it and it's great to share some ideas yourself!!! What's the best smokey eyes that doesn't look too "wham! bam! boom!" for you?

Keep smilin'
Stay happy!

Weekend Food Tripping at: If You're Craving for Italian Dish

Happy weekend friends! I had a very loooonnggg day yesterday! And I got wet twice!!! Long story! I hate getting drenched in the rain and you have to get in an air conditioned restaurant! Brrrr

Anyways, my weekend food tripping talks Italian... Delicioso!! There are 2 restaurants that serves quick Italian food I've tried over the weekend! First stop:

aVeneto Pizzeria Ristorante

Baked Zitti With Hungarian Sausage
Php235.00 (approx $4.80)

When I crave for pasta, I crave for it BIG TIME! So I want my order to come in BIG servings! Baked Zitti with Hungarian Sausage is the perfect dish for me to fill up my tummy space! The hubby loves the Hungarian Sausage, I love the Pasta! That's sharing!

Branches:
Glorietta 3
Trinoma
SM Mall of Asia
Visayas Avenue
SM Pasig

---------------------------------------------

If I'm located inside malls, a quick fix for pizza and pasta (aside from Sbarro) is Chef d' Angelo! Chef d'Angelo according to their site is an Italian-American fast service restaurant which first opened at Robinson's Place Ermita! I remembered dining there with my colleagues and going back to the office late as it's always jam packed and you have to wait for your seats! Now I'm glad they have branches in almost all malls! :)

Great White Pizza (seafood)
Php220.00 (approx $4.50)

It's quite small to look at but it's full to the bite! I love the Great White Pizza and the Big Five Pizza (for Meat Lovers). I don't mind eating them for snacks! Yes, SNACKS! No dieting on weekends!

Spaghetti Carbonara
Pp148.00 (approx $3.00)

I am not impressed with this, but it's something worth trying! I love the garlic butter toast that comes with the meal and I love it that they don't scrimp on white sauce! I hate dry pastas!

Branches:
SM Malls (selected)
Robinson's Malls (selected)
Trinoma
Glorietta

Are you into Italian dish recently?
What are you craving for this weekend?

Keep smilin'
Stay Happy!
Stay Magnifico! *kissing fingers*

Askmewhats Reviews: MAC Select Sheer Pressed Powder

Happy Saturday morning everyone! I am off to the hospital for my mom's checkup this morning! I know it'll turn out good! :)

I have another MAC SF Powder Foundation, MAC Blot Powder Pressed "packaging look-alike" for review...the MAC Select Sheer Pressed Powder! Do I like it? Is it worth it? Read on!

MAC Select Sheer Pressed Powder says ---

Micro-fine, sheer and silky. Pressed for portability. Goes on lightly. Won't shift your shade or leave its mark. Lets skin's natural vitality and freshness glow through. Comes with its own suede-finish sponge. Blurs lines. Makes skin look flawless.

net weight: 12 g/0.42 oz

Askmewhats says ---

Pros

• never cakes even if you retouch many times a day
• though I don't use the sponge, it's actually nice and made of good quality!
• great to set liquid/cream foundation, does not change the shade as the powder is quite sheer
• soft and non drying
• no heavy feel
• no breakouts and allergies (for me)
  

Cons

• for someone who wants full coverage, this has light coverage
• does not cover redness
  
• for super oily face, does not control oil as much as you would want!
• a bit pricey for a pressed powder with sheer coverage
• other brands can do the same function at a cheaper price
  

Overall

It took me quite some time to review this as I've been comparing this with MAC's Blot Powder. What's the difference? Coverage and that's it! MAC's Select Sheer as it's name imply has a sheer coverage as compared to MAC's Blot Powder Pressed which does control oil better but no coverage at all.

I've used this multiply times on my client by dusting it lightly all over the face to "set" the makeup, I go down to the neck and also the shoulders, chest and back! Why do I do so? I want to make my client looks clean and yet isn't obvious that they have foundation on their body! It works that way!

Do I love this? I personally use the MAC's Mineralized Skin Finish (MSF) for retouch!

Tips

• do not purchase the powder base on the number you use for the MAC Studio Fix Powder Foundation. I am NC20-25 and I purchased NC15!
• use a brush to set your foundation or application rather than the sponge that comes along with it
• if you are looking for full coverage, purchase the MAC Studio Fix Powder Foundation instead of this
• want natural look? Cover your flaws with your concealer of choice before you use the MAC Select Sheer!
• use a big powder brush to set your foundation, use a kabuki brush if you want a bit of coverage
• never apply too much in one application, can make your face look unnatural and powdery.
  

Will I repurchase?

No, so many setting powder at the moment! And other brands can do the same function.

Where to purchase and how much?

At MAC counters for Php1,300 (approx $27.00)

Select Sheer Pressed Powder
close up in NC15

Close up on the sponge included



No Flash



With Flash

Anyone who's using this, do holler!
I'd love to know how you find this product!
I could be missing something

Keep smilin'
Stay Happy!